Clutch master cylinder repair kit?

For all your questions, problems and DIY stories
Post Reply
diy mike
Newbee
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2013 5:34 pm
My E21(s): european 316 manual 1982

Clutch master cylinder repair kit?

Post by diy mike »

I'm looking for a clutch master cylinder repair kit for a 1982 e21 1.6 right hand drive - I've seen a couple on eBay how can I be sure that they are compatible for my car? Any suggestions gratefully received!


User avatar
Jeroen
Site Admin
Posts: 29194
Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:23 pm
My E21(s): '81 323i Baur
Location: The Netherlands
Contact:

Re: Clutch master cylinder repair kit?

Post by Jeroen »

You can check what brand it is, 99% have a FAG installed, you can get a repair kit from the dealer for under 30 quid under part no 21 52 1 155 030

That and overhaul instructions in our FAQ section sir
viewtopic.php?f=38&t=13418&start=11
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
diy mike
Newbee
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2013 5:34 pm
My E21(s): european 316 manual 1982

Re: Clutch master cylinder repair kit?

Post by diy mike »

BMW said they cannot get hold of a clutch master cylinder repair kit so I spoke to them again giving the part number you gave me and they said it's coming up as an input cylinder clutch 1905mm £30 and back ordered so could not give me a date and that it is non refundable! Does this sound like the correct kit to you? Thanks for your help, best regards Mike.
User avatar
Jeroen
Site Admin
Posts: 29194
Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:23 pm
My E21(s): '81 323i Baur
Location: The Netherlands
Contact:

Re: Clutch master cylinder repair kit?

Post by Jeroen »

Should be the right one but if it's backordered you may want to give some of the other brake specialists on our E21 suppliers list a go, like Biggred or Brakeparts.
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
steed
Upcoming E21 fanatic
Posts: 66
Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2008 10:57 am
My E21(s): '79 316 manual (4spd)
Location: Southampton

Re: Clutch master cylinder repair kit?

Post by steed »

i bought the last UK OEM master cylinder rebuild kit from BMW either last year or the year before. i haven't actually used it yet as i'm thinking of going a different way now so i won't require it. if i can find the safe place i put it in would you be interested? (I bought it for my '79 316).
'79 316 (sepiabraun, awesome!)
e21paddy
E21 VIP
E21 VIP
Posts: 60
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2018 1:11 pm
My E21(s): 320/6 1981

Re: Clutch master cylinder repair kit?

Post by e21paddy »

Sorry for the thread revival!

What is the contents of the clutch master cylinder kit? Some appear to have more involved, such as the internal piston etc?

Currently trying to find a replacement master clutch assembly or a rebuild kit for a RHD which appears to be posing a challenge!
User avatar
Jeroen
Site Admin
Posts: 29194
Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:23 pm
My E21(s): '81 323i Baur
Location: The Netherlands
Contact:

Re: Clutch master cylinder repair kit?

Post by Jeroen »

The repair set you appear to need is P/N 21521155030 for RHD and you can just get a kit like this for a few quid:
https://www.autodoc.co.uk/autofren-seinsa/10975676

Just requires careful exchange of the seals in the right order and direction. The more expensive sets have the seals ready fitted on a replacement piston but in nearly all cases this new piston is made out of plastic while the original example is made from aluminum. Even the 30 pounds repair kit from BMW has the plastic piston iirc.
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
e21paddy
E21 VIP
E21 VIP
Posts: 60
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2018 1:11 pm
My E21(s): 320/6 1981

Re: Clutch master cylinder repair kit?

Post by e21paddy »

I have found a leak under my car from what I suspect to be the slave cylinder, is it particularly hard to find as I cannot seem to put my eyes on it.

I will buy a hone and check my local BMW dealership for the kit. autodoc has 28gbp for shipping to Ireland, so trying to find one in the UK!

edit - Just found one on ebay.co.uk so it should be with me next week all going well!
User avatar
Jeroen
Site Admin
Posts: 29194
Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:23 pm
My E21(s): '81 323i Baur
Location: The Netherlands
Contact:

Re: Clutch master cylinder repair kit?

Post by Jeroen »

OK leak underneath your car is most likely to be your slave indeed, leaking through the gearbox bell housing. I never overhaul slaves, just replace them.
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
e21paddy
E21 VIP
E21 VIP
Posts: 60
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2018 1:11 pm
My E21(s): 320/6 1981

Re: Clutch master cylinder repair kit?

Post by e21paddy »

Hi Jeroen, yes I came to that conclusion also from the tech tips thread! I was advised to also change the master cylinder or refurbish it as they usually go due to the increased pressure caused by a fresh slave cylinder!
User avatar
uwbuurman
E21 VIP
E21 VIP
Posts: 18637
Joined: Fri Jun 12, 2009 4:49 pm
My E21(s): 1978 type 1 323i 5speed dogleg Polaris
Location: Ljouwert

Re: Clutch master cylinder repair kit?

Post by uwbuurman »

Yeah, since you need to bleed the line, just overhaul that master cilinder also, or replace it, if possible.
It's the man next door!

1978 BMW 323i
1980 BMW 528i maior restitutio
1987 BMW 325iA cabriolet
2006 BMW 320d touring High Executive
2015 BMW 320dA touring xDrive High Executive ///Msport
e21paddy
E21 VIP
E21 VIP
Posts: 60
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2018 1:11 pm
My E21(s): 320/6 1981

Re: Clutch master cylinder repair kit?

Post by e21paddy »

Unfortunately didnt get the master cylinder kit in time. It should arrive this week so I will have to rebleed. Oh well.

The clutches bite is now the opposite end of the pedal, very close to the floor. This is normal i assume?
User avatar
Jeroen
Site Admin
Posts: 29194
Joined: Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:23 pm
My E21(s): '81 323i Baur
Location: The Netherlands
Contact:

Re: Clutch master cylinder repair kit?

Post by Jeroen »

Nope, that means there's still plenty of air inside the system. Sometimes it takes a couple attempts and some time to get all the air out. Make sure the feed line from the master to the fluid tank runs upwards to allow a few bubbles to go up naturally, and make sure the tank is filled sufficiently.
Regards/groeten, Jeroen
Post Reply